This document discusses a proposed lightweight digital library framework called simplyCT. The objectives are to investigate implementing digital libraries with simple architectures and to define simplicity for digital library storage and services. A preliminary study involves implementing a rudimentary digital library collection prototype with 19,745 images using Dublin Core metadata and a hierarchical file store. The anticipated outcomes are a formal definition of simplicity for digital library design, a proof of concept digital library system, and concepts for the simplyCT framework.

1. A lightweight digital library framework
Lighton Phiri
Department of Computer Science, University of Cape Town
Introduction
Digital Library System services and storage tools
have evolved and become complex, effectively
making them difficult to maintain, extend and reuse.
This is a phenomenon common in environment with
limited resources.
One proposed solution is the implementation of a
lightweight Digital Library framework for simple
online or offline digital archives. The proposed
framework has been given the name simplyCT and
forms the basis for this research.
Objectives
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To investigate the feasibility of implementing
Digital Library Systems using simple architectures

To define simplicity for Digital Library System
storage and service architectures

To compare simple architectures with complex
architectures
Methodology Current work
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A preliminary study involving implementing a 
Digital Library static collection prototype
rudimentary digital library collection prototype is 
Collection has a total of 19,745 images ( ~6.5GB)
currently in progress 
Dublin Core Application Profile has been created
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A theory derivation process will be aided by a 
Uses qualified Dublin Core Metadata Specification
case study of existing Digital Library Systems 
Metadata objects linked using relation element
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The simplyCT principles will be derived and a 
Makes use of a hierarchical file store
mapping done with results from the case study
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A proof of concept prototype Digital Library Anticipated outcome
System will be implemented and integrated with 
A formal Definition of simplicity for Digital Library
various real world digital collections System design

A proof of concept Digital Library System
Evaluation 
A comprehensive set of unifying concepts behind
simplyCT framework

The overall research assessment will be based on
a three axis evaluation strategy

The efficiency will be evaluated using a series of
controlled experiments lphiri@cs.uct.ac.za

The effectiveness will involved integration of the http://people.cs.uct.ac.za/~lphiri
prototype Digital library system with real world University of Cape Town
collections Cape Town

The usefulness will be evaluated using user South Africa
studies